The only caution men need to be taking is to stop assaulting women.

I am a little confused by the Dec. 11 op-ed from the Chicks on the Right. They express concern that the pendulum has swung too far on the issue of sexual harassment and that society should be careful about taking this movement too far. They warn us about false accusations and trivializing assault. A “proper balance must be restored,” they say. However, after noting that “it’s nearly impossible to go a day without hearing of another accusation,” they provide zero examples of false accusations or of men facing overzealous reactions. It seems they are suggesting that we be careful about believing every woman’s story of assault because just maybe some of them in the future might be fake.

Moreover, they somehow take the current climate to mean that men should be careful regarding their interactions with female colleagues. They note that “Men can’t be blamed for being cautious about how they approach and interact with women now” and warn of a world where men and women need supervision to work together. Are we reading the same news? Every major story on the subject has involved men groping, assaulting, harassing, raping, etc. Maybe I’m old fashioned, but it seems like the only caution men need to be taking is to stop assaulting women.

If you’re reading this letter online right now, thank particle physics. If you’ve ever used a cell phone, GPS, MRI, shrink wrap, or televisions, thank particle physics. If you think being able to accurately scan passing cargo in U.S. ports or safely monitor nuclear waste are good things, thank particle physics. All of these innovations rely on basic physics research performed by government funded academic scientists, much like the research I’m currently performing as part of my physics PhD.

I’m lucky to have received a great education in Indiana that has allowed me to pursue this degree. Currently, I spend over 60 hours a week in my lab developing cutting edge software and analyzing one of the largest datasets in the world. I am able to do this only because my tuition is waived by my university I receive a livable ($32,000) stipend for my work.

With the repeal of section 117(d) of the tax code as proposed in the current House bill, I would, for the first time ever, be taxed on my waived tuition, increasing my tax burden by over 300 percent. I would be paying over 30 percent of my income in taxes, putting me suddenly in one of the highest tax brackets in the country. I would no longer be able to sustain my studies.

This potential reform would force me and many similar students out of academic science, stagnating innovation and concentrating scientific knowledge in the hands of an elite few. I urge my Indiana representatives to consider the future of our state and nation as this proposal moves forward, and to make sure we continue to be a global leader in science.

Savannah Thais

Mooresville

Support lawmakers who work to protect the unborn

This letter is in response to recent letters to the editor and protests at the homes and businesses of members of the Indiana General Assembly by Hoosiers for Life concerning pro-life issues. Protests are not new and the public certainly has a right to let their feelings be known about issues in our state. However, for members of any group to call a representative “a liar” and a “pathetic excuse for a Christian” does not further the conversation or promote the issues of pro-life in a constructive way through the legislative process. No one, during a time of grieving for a family member, should be subjected to this type of language posted on a bereavement website as was Speaker Brian Bosma, a strong supporter of life. As chairman of the Public Policy Committee, Representative Ben Smaltz has also been subjected to picketing at his home with attempts to do the same at his local church.

Representatives deal with many, many different topics and receive opinions from numerous people with differing views concerning pro-life issues. Not all bills and all problems are able to be heard in a given session of the General Assembly. Representatives are wise about the legal impact of bills and work to be careful in their decisions concerning life issues. As a former representative for nine years and chairman of the Public Policy Committee, I know this is so. I can also tell you that I have worked closely with Speaker Bosma and can assure everyone he stands firmly in his faith and in protecting the life of the unborn. With a 100 percent pro- life voting record as a state representative, and now a member of the board at Indiana Right Life, I know the state of Indiana is making great strides in protecting the lives of the unborn and will continue to do so through the legislative process. I would urge those that believe in Right to Life to support all those in The General Assembly that have worked so tirelessly for so many years for the unborn. Thank you.